Set Ctrl+Alt+T to open a maximized terminal

In gconf-editor set the key

/apps/compiz-1/plugins/gnomecompat/screen0/options/command_terminal

to gnome-terminal --maximize

Just as an alternative (maybe when you are working on another computer for a short time), after the window is open, you can press Alt+Space to the open the window's context menu and X to maximize. Similarly N to minimize and C to close. Works for all other applications too.

This combination is also the default for Microsoft Windows OS.

Not sure if this works for Gnome2 on Ubuntu 11.04, but it does for me on Ubuntu 12.04.

• Open a Terminal
• Select Profile Preferences from the Edit Menu.
• Tick Use custom default terminal size and enter a default size that is too large for the screen e.g. 240 columns and 100 rows.

Click close then open a new Terminal by clicking the icon OR pressing Ctrl+Alt+T, the new terminal window should be maximised.

This answer is based upon advice I was given here: How to make terminal start maximized?